Accelerated Reader

Best Classroom Practices Overview

Kings Mountain Middle

What is Accelerated Reader?

Software program to manage reading practice Designed for the teacher to monitor the

students’ progression Uses short quizzes to check comprehension of

books read Stores data and provides reports on reading

quantity and quality Helps teachers monitor daily practice and plan

instruction Teachers act on the data to help students

improve comprehension and ability to ready

Primary Goal: Improve Reading

Accelerate growth in reading ability

Foster a love of reading in all students

Enable daily monitoring of reading progress

Improve test scores

Notes AR provides more

“practice” at the skill that we want to improve.

Look for every opportunity to tell students that AR is something you do at school.

At the same time, encourage reading of AR and non-AR.

When we practice,

sometimes we hit the target and

sometimes we do not!

Accelerated Reader Provides the Missing Information

Tier 1 – Teaching/Learning Reading Skills as a part of the Standard Course of Study

Tier 2 –Daily Progress Monitoring and Practice (AR)

Tier 3 – Periodic Progress Monitoring (Star Testing)

Tier 4 – Annual High-Stakes Test (EOG)

Progress Monitoring is a daily process that involves the teacher and the student.

AR – Daily Monitoring

Teach Reading Skills in SCOS

Star Testing

EOG

What happens in an AR classroom? Guided Reading Practice – There must be time

for GRP. – Preferably 45 min/day at school Immediate Feedback Daily progress monitoring and guidance from

the teacher Goal-setting Motivation – should emphasize averages and

not points

Carrot = Realistic goal for each individual student, the ability to read what

they are interested in, …

Common AR Terms

ZPD – zone of proximal development – book level range appropriate for students’ reading level – range of materials that are likely to give success and growth

ATOS – readability level via text difficulty – word length, sentence length, leveled vocabulary

Notes ZPD – Open it up but do not move it up! Allow

flexibility and opportunity. Use mid-year star test to open the range. Use it primarily to check for growth. At the end of the grading period, students should average within the ZPD range. This allows for reading material above and below their suggested reading level.

Students should not have to quiz on every book that they read! Forcing a student to test on a book just because they have checked it out is not recommended. Students should be allowed to test within 24 hours of finishing a book if at all possible!

Reading Logs

Help students keep track of practice

Help teachers monitor progress

May serve as a library pass Allows for communication Students can’t test without a

teacher signature

Status of the Class Teacher : Student Daily Reading Progress – show interest,

monitor to assess readiness to quiz Incorporate comprehension strategies

when conferencing – 5 finger book talk with a classmate, folders with short activities, story maps, journaling, etc.

Follow-up with the student after testing – TOPS report – Use it as a talking point

Points Measure practice Measure reading difficulty Quantity Goal-setting

Points should not be the focus! 85% is the focus while working toward 100% of the goal!

Create an AR Team and Flexible, Accessible Library

What is the mission? Setting goals, determining desired outcomes

Who owns the mission? Key players

Supporters of AR – principal, coordinators (district, campus, technology), library media specialists, teachers

Team Roles Principal – lead, build consensus,

facilitate Coordinators – train, monitor

program handle technology issues

Library Media Specialist – build school wide culture of literacy

Teachers – act as primary student contact

Team Objectives Meet regularly (at least monthly) –

set monthly and yearly goals Create an implementation plan Review reports Plan professional development Keep school and community informed Encourage Classroom and Library

certification

Librarians Need Support

Ensure that everyone is trained

Track circulation statistics Communicate needs to

community and committee Evaluate current procedures

and determine library goals

What happens in an AR library?

Support reading practice and student goals

Provide easy access to books Acquire books and quizzes to match

ZPD, interests, instructional needs Assess collection and respond to

changing needs

Benefits of Flexible Schedule

Students have easy access to books

Library becomes literature-based learning center

A team is developed among library staff, teachers, and administrators

Other notes…Test within 24 hours of finishing a book – This may

mean that students need opportunities to test in other subject areas/classes.

Grades – should reflect that this is the practice portion of your reading program

Suggestions – Take a grade for average and a grade for percent of goal achieved

Goals and ZPD ranges are not written in stone! The teacher can adjust these as needed to ensure success. Students should take ownership in the goal setting process. The teacher sets goals with the students during conferencing at the beginning of the year.

Other notes…

Limit tangible rewards Teachers teach reading AR is the independent practice portion

of your reading program! Teachers need support from other

content areas! Students can take notes on nonfiction

books with them to the computer